I grab my phone and fire off a quick text to Dad:Home safe.Then I drop it on the bed just as it buzzes again.
Gideon: You home safe, Little Menace?
A small smile tugs at my mouth. I crawl into bed, stretching out under the blanket, thumbs hovering over the keyboard.
Me: Yeah.
Three dots appear, blink away, then return.
Gideon: Everything okay? You seem… off.
He always notices when my messages get shorter, fewer emojis, less sass. Too good at it.
Me: Just tired. Family dinner. You know how those go.
Gideon: Should I be jealous of the company?
Me: Only if you’re competing with my dad’s fiancé and her fish that tasted like lotion.
Gideon: I’ll take that as a no. Get some rest, Little Menace. And dream about something better than seafood.
Me: Like you?
Gideon: Obviously.
I grin despite myself.
The next ping comes before I can set the phone down.
Silas: Thinking of you and can’t wait til our date. How’s the chaos that is Penelope?
I laugh quietly. Silas never uses emojis, never sugarcoats. Just straight to the point.
Me: The chaos is alive and well. I’m hanging in there.
Silas: That’s all I get? You must be beat. Velvet this weekend?
Me: Too much family time. So definitely.
A pause.
Silas: Everything okay?
He means it. With him, it’s never casual. I stare at the screen for a long second, thumb hovering over the letters.
Me: Yeah. Just tired. Promise.
It’s half a lie, half a plea for normalcy.
Silas: Get some sleep. You push too hard, you crack.
Me: I don’t crack.
Silas: Everyone does eventually. Night, Pen.
Me: Night, Si.
The apartment goes still again, just the faint hum of the heater kicking on. I set my phone face down on the nightstand and sink deeper into the mattress.
